The Minnesota Vikings are including a really embellished free agent (albeit at a less-heralded place).
Minnesota announced on Tuesday that they’ve agreed to signal veteran punter Johnny Hekker in free company. Ian Rapoport of NFL Community adds that Hekker is getting a one-year contract from the Vikings.
The 36-year-old Hekker was lengthy generally known as top-of-the-line punters within the league, notably throughout his time with the Los Angeles Rams (relationship again to the franchise’s time in St. Louis). With the Rams, Hekker was a six-time All-Professional choice, a four-time Professional Bowler and a two-time NFL punting yards chief.
Hekker additionally was a member of the Rams group that gained Tremendous Bowl LVI in 2021, which additionally ended up being his last season in Los Angeles. In 2022, Hekker signed with the Carolina Panthers and spent three seasons there earlier than taking part in out the 2025 marketing campaign on a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.
Final season for the Titans, Hekker appeared in all 17 video games because the first-stringer. He punted 78 whole occasions for 3,653 yards (rating second within the NFL) for a median of 46.8 yards per punt.
As for the Vikings, their beginning punter final season was Ryan Wright, who has since signed with the New Orleans Saints in free company. Now for 2026, Minnesota can be turning to Hekker, who has also developed quite the reputation for antics over the years.
